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Your Gateway to Excellence: Complete Guide to Studying in Spain 2026
Studying in Spain
Aspiring to study in Spain comes with multiple questions about tuition, living costs, accommodation, and application requirements. Studying in Spain is a golden opportunity to gain admission to world-class universities and enter the job market after graduation. All graduates from Spanish universities are eligible to apply for a job search visa to transition from a student visa to a work visa. Below you’ll find detailed sections on different aspects of studying in Spain and application requirements for each education level. Remember, by studying in Spain, you’ll have the opportunity to experience a prominent educational journey in Europe.
High Quality Education
High academic level of instruction
Affordable Tuition
Low cost of study
Post-Graduation Employment
Job opportunities after study completion
Excellent Student Life
Outstanding facilities and amenities for students
Rich Culture
Cultural exchange and networking opportunities
Study Requirements and Migration Process to Spain
Admission and application requirements for different universities in Spain vary slightly, though differences mainly appear in minimum language score requirements. Generally, Spanish universities follow a straightforward path for accepting international students at both bachelor’s and master’s levels.
For example, some Spanish universities require entrance exams or specific preparatory courses. These exams confirm a student’s readiness for entry into international university programs. A critical factor for university admission is language proficiency. Depending on the program type and destination university, you must provide one of two language credentials: English or Spanish.
Studying at Different Education Levels in Spain
Bachelor's Degree in Spain
International students applying for bachelor’s degrees in Spain must translate and submit their credentials to the target educational institution. Generally, the bachelor’s application process varies depending on the country of origin. Bachelor’s programs typically last 4 years; medicine lasts 6 years and veterinary medicine lasts 5 years. To earn a bachelor’s degree, you must successfully complete internship credits. For this purpose, completing 240 ECTS credits and defending a thesis are mandatory. ECTS is a credit system used in higher education institutions in countries participating in the Bologna Process.
Master's Degree in Spain
To apply for a master’s program in Spain, you’ll need roughly the same conditions as for a bachelor’s program. Preparing and submitting educational credentials and a resume as one file is among the first steps in applying for a master’s in Spain. Master’s level study typically lasts up to two years in Spain. Some master’s programs in Spain last only one year. For master’s admission, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and pass entrance exams. To earn a master’s degree, you must earn between 60 and 120 credits.
PhD in Spain
The highest level of study in Spain involves participating in PhD programs. This program lasts between 3 and 6 years depending on the course type. This program is research-focused, with students engaging in various practical units for research activities and investigations in different fields. To apply for a Spanish PhD, you must submit your credentials to the university. Since doctoral programs center on research activities, be sure to mention published articles and your research work in your resume.
Conditions for Obtaining Spanish Educational Scholarships
Each educational scholarship has specific criteria to determine applicant eligibility. These generally include academic GPA, Spanish or English language proficiency, financial capability, and specific research interests. Having recommendation letters from university professors and providing documents related to Spanish or English language proficiency, such as DELE or IELTS/TOEFL, are also necessary to increase your chances of obtaining a Spanish educational scholarship.
How to Obtain a Spanish Educational Scholarship?
For 2024-2025, Spain offers various types of educational scholarships for international students at different academic levels. These scholarships include government and university funding. Each of these scholarships covers partial or full study costs for international students. It’s possible to apply simultaneously for multiple scholarships in Spain.
The scholarship application process may vary depending on the scholarship type, providing institution, and academic level (bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD). First, research available scholarships by visiting Spanish university websites. Note that some international organizations and institutions such as Erasmus+ offer scholarship programs for studying in Spain.
Spanish Scholarships at Different Education Levels
To receive educational scholarships in Spain at three levels-bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD-applicants must meet specific conditions. General conditions include having a high academic GPA, appropriate language level, strong academic and research background, and credible recommendation letters. For bachelor’s level study in Spain, scholarship opportunities are much lower, with almost no full scholarships available at this level. Students pursuing higher education levels have better scholarship chances. However, PhD and master’s applicants must receive confirmation from a professor at the target university.
Full-Fund Scholarships in Spain
The highest level of study in Spain involves participating in PhD programs. This program lasts between 3 and 6 years depending on the course type. This program is research-focused, with students engaging in various practical units for research activities and investigations in different fields. To apply for a Spanish PhD, you must submit your credentials to the university. Since doctoral programs center on research activities, be sure to mention published articles and your research work in your resume.
Types of Spanish Universities
Universities
Focus on theoretical knowledge and research
Universities of Applied Sciences
Feature applied methodology approach
Art, Film, and Music Colleges
Instruction and training in art, film, and music
Cooperative Universities
Offer dual-study programs
Global Rankings of Top Spanish Universities
| University | Global Rank |
|---|---|
| University of Barcelona | 160 |
| Autónoma University of Madrid | 172 |
| Technical University of Madrid | 349-400 |
| Complutense University of Madrid | 351-400 |
| Charles III University of Madrid | 501-600 |
| University of Valencia | 501-600 |
Tuition Costs in Spain
Spanish university tuition ranges from €750 to €3,500 annually. The average cost for international students is approximately €2,000 per year at public universities. Costs at Spanish public universities are determined by the government and typically uniform across different public institutions.
Bachelor's Degree
Depending on credit costs at Spanish universities, international students may need to pay up to €6,000 annually for bachelor’s programs. The average credit cost for bachelor’s degrees at Spanish public universities reaches up to €30 per credit. Average annual tuition for a bachelor’s degree in Spain is approximately €1,800.
Master's Degree
The average master’s tuition ranges from €16 to €45 per credit in Spain. Master’s degrees in Spain typically include 60 ECTS credits annually. This means master’s degree costs in Spain can reach up to €2,700 per year.
PhD
Full-time doctoral programs in Spain last a maximum of three years; however, with scientific committee approval, they may be extended for up to two additional years. Part-time PhD programs last five years. Typically, in the first year of PhD study, students must participate in training courses and university activities worth 60 ECTS credits. The average PhD cost in Spain reaches up to €55 per credit, meaning students should pay approximately €3,300 during the first year. Subsequent years focus on research and thesis writing, with students required to pay teaching and research fees, which are usually lower, reaching up to €600 annually.
Required Documents for Studying in Spain
Identification Documents
Passport
Language Certificate
Spanish or English (DELE or IELTS/TOEFL 6.5+)
Motivation Letter and Resume
Financial Capability Certificate
Proof of funds (€30,000+ health insurance coverage)
